Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Good Shepherd Agree to Management Contract

Good Shepherd To Manage Medical Rehabilitation Services for CHOP

ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network (GSRN) based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have signed a management contract whereby GSRN will manage all medical rehabilitation services provided to CHOP's patients. These services include inpatient rehabilitation at Children's Seashore House, rehabilitation services provided to other CHOP inpatients and outpatient rehabilitation in the CHOP Care Network.

As part of the agreement, which goes into effect May 2010, GSRN will employ a Pediatric Rehabilitation Program Director and a Business Development Coordinator for CHOP. In addition, GSRN will assist CHOP in recruiting for a newly created position, the Chief of Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. All therapists and other rehabilitation staff will remain employees of CHOP.

"Good Shepherd will manage the 18-bed Children's Seashore House rehabilitation unit, outpatient rehabilitation at six sites and other CHOP rehabilitation services for three years," says Brent Reitz, GSRN's Vice President of Pediatrics, who will oversee the management contract. "Medical oversight will be provided by Phillip Bryant, D.O., GSRN's Chief Medical Officer, who is board certified in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation and fellowship trained in pediatric rehabilitation."

"This collaboration between CHOP and Good Shepherd will combine the organizations' strengths to build world-class rehabilitation programs that will benefit our patients," says Thomas Dole, vice president, outpatient and clinical services at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This agreement draws upon the talents of our world-renowned medical and rehabilitation staff and Good Shepherd's expertise in the management and operation of rehabilitation services."

"Good Shepherd's strong collaborative and synergistic business practices are the foundation for Good Shepherd's strategic direction to collaborate with acute-care health systems through management contracts and partnerships," says Sally Gammon, F.A.C.H.E., president & CEO, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. "Management contracts are a business model utilized by Good Shepherd for many years, including at Easton Hospital and Wayne Memorial Hospital. In addition, our partnerships include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a joint venture with Penn Medicine, and a strategic alliance with Pocono Medical Center. Good Shepherd tailors its partnerships and contract arrangements to meet the needs of our partners, while first and foremost bringing excellent care and outcomes to the patients served."

Children's Seashore House is located at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard in Philadelphia. CHOP's outpatient rehabilitation is provided at CHOP Care Network Specialty Care locations in King of Prussia, Exton, Chalfont and Springfield in Pennsylvania and Voorhees and Mays Landing in New Jersey.

The types of rehabilitation services provided in inpatient and outpatient pediatrics include rehabilitation nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy and the medical management of the rehabilitation care plan.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

About The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 460-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network has nearly 50 locations in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, offering top-ranked primary and specialty care services in convenient community-based locations. Visit www.chop.edu/network for more information about specific services at each location.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is a nationally recognized rehabilitation leader, offering a continuum of care for people with physical and cognitive disabilities and specializing in assistive and rehabilitation technology.  Founded in 1908, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network comprises a main operation based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a majority ownership of Good Shepherd Penn Partners based in Philadelphia.

More than 56,000 people come to Good Shepherd each year for specialized programs in stroke, orthopedics, brain injury, spinal cord injury, pediatrics, amputation and more.

Good Shepherd's Lehigh Valley operation provides rehabilitation services in 8 eastern Pennsylvania counties and operates 20 outpatient sites, 4 inpatient sites, a long-term acute care hospital, 2 long-term care homes for people with severe disabilities, an independent living facility and a Work Services division that provides employment training and job placement. Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, provides post-acute care in the Philadelphia region and includes an inpatient unit, a long-term acute care hospital, and 8 outpatient sites.

Good Shepherd's Pediatric Program includes inpatient and outpatient care. In July of 2009, the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit opened its doors in Bethlehem. The unit is the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley region, offering acute rehabilitation care to children who have suffered injuries, illnesses, or who have congenital conditions.

Good Shepherd's Outpatient Pediatric Program is positioned to serve more children in 2010 thanks to a donor gift that provides the capital to expand the program's operating space on Good Shepherd's south Allentown campus. As a result of that expansion, the Outpatient Pediatric Program will be able to handle 27 percent more patient visits (12,000 additional visits) for children with cognitive and physical disabilities.

For more information, visit www.GoodShepherdRehab.org.

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Sara (Sally) Gammon, CHE

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SOURCE Good Shepard Rehabilitation Network